GUIDANCE FOR 13 DECEMBER 2007 SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 166776 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO UN SU SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR 13 DECEMBER 2007 SECURITY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS ON UNAMID REF: USUN NEW YORK 001154 ¶1. PURPOSE. This is an action request. The Department asks USUN to draw upon the following three themes for the United Nations (UN) Security Council consultations on the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on 13 December 2007: A) Welcome the progress between the UN and Government of Sudan (GOS) on UNAMID deployment during the December 8 meeting in Lisbon on the margins of the European Union-Africa Summit. --We welcome the UN-GOS discussions last week regarding advancing the deployment of UNAMID. --We understand that the GOS has promised to resolve all outstanding issues hampering deployment this week. --While we welcome the new spirit of cooperation the GOS has shown, we will be most attentive to the new realities on the ground. We will expect UNAMID to proceed with its deployment without undue hindrance. --We welcome the agreement by all parties to allow each UNAMID troop to wear a UN blue beret, a UN armband, an African Union (AU) armband, and a hybrid scarf. B) Push for Sudanese implementation and follow through. --The international community expects the GOS to cooperate in all aspects of UNAMID's deployment, such as by consistently providing flight clearance, including at night; consistently allowing access to land and water; and consistently issuing visas. --Regarding use of land for UNAMID, we look forward to the GOS providing all necessary signatures for the contract for land in Zalingei. We also look forward to the GOS providing a viable option for land in El Geneina, as the three options previously offered by the GOS are not tenable. --Regarding flight clearances, we expect the GOS to allow the UN uninhibited access, instead of limiting night flight to medical evacuations only. --The international community also expects the GOS to provide a formal acceptance of the UN-AU list of troop-contributing countries (TCCs),including contributors from outside the African continent, this week, as promised by the GOS. --In addition, we look forward to the resolution of the Status of Forces Agreement negotiations. We urge the UN and AU to work closely with the GOS in resolving all the steps necessary for UNAMID's rapid deployment. C) Ask the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to clarify its redlines on force composition and how it plans to compensate for any adjustments to the TCC list. Push for urgent deployment of those capabilities for which DPKO already has TCC commitments. --We continue to urge states to contribute the tactical and utility helicopters and heavy transport units necessary for UNAMID's effectiveness. --We ask DPKO to specify what elements of the force are absolutely necessary and what alternative plans it may have to compensate for a lack of some elements. We cannot afford to have UNAMID's effectiveness suffer from lack of critical enablers. --Regarding rapid deployment of existing elements, we urge the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and TCCs to coordinate closely to expedite the steps required for deployment. We are disappointed by the limited amount of UNAMID personnel that are on the ground and want to see rapid deployment of additional assets. --We understand the very difficult environment that UNAMID faces on the ground. We have heard new reports of threats against Chinese troops deployed to UNAMID and Chinese oil field workers. We strongly condemn such threats and call upon all parties to refrain from any threats or acts of violence, particularly against UN peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, and all civilians. We urge all parties to respect an immediate ceasefire and to allow humanitarian workers full STATE 00166776 002 OF 002 access to those in need. ¶2. BACKGROUND. The GOS' letter dated 5 December 2007 attempts to rebut Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Guehenno's statement to the UN Security Council on 27 November on the following: 1) The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The GOS claimed that DPKO has been delaying meetings. On 12 December, USUN reported that a UNAMID-GOS meeting on SOFA began 11 December in Khartoum. 2) The issue of land. The GOS claimed the UN must visit Zalingei so it can receive its allotment. On 12 December, USUN reported that the UN visited Zalingei and the UN is now waiting for the GOS to sign the contract. The GOS also claimed the UN has yet to decide among three options for land in El Geneina. On 12 December, USUN reported that none of these options is acceptable and is waiting for the GOS to offer a viable option. 3) The issue of six helicopters. GOS said the lack of parking space in El Fasher prompted the UN to relocate these helicopters to Nyala. On 12 December, USUN reported this is true. 4) Flying at night. The GOS said it has given its consent to night flying "in all cases of medical evacuation." On 12 December, USUN reported this is correct, but that the UN wants uninhibited access. 5) UNAMID communications equipment in El Fasher. GOS claimed the UN did not follow the correct procedures for notifying the GOS. GOS said the issue will be closed this week, after it gets the necessary technical information. On 12 December, Embassy Khartoum reported the GOS released the communications equipment. 6) Use by UNAMID of El Obeid Logistics Base. GOS said it has given its consent for UNAMID to use the El Obeid logistics base, pending the establishment of a separate logistical base for UNAMID. On 12 December, USUN reported this is true. 7) UNAMID Accoutrements. The GOS said this issue will be discussed with other details at the SOFA discussions. On 12 December, USUN reported that all parties have agreed that the uniform will include a blue UN beret, UN armband, AU armband, and hybrid scarf. In addition, on 12 December, USUN reported that the GOS has yet to respond to the UN-AU TCC list. On 8 December, the UN met with the GOS on the margins of the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon (reftel). According to SYG Deputy Chief of Staff Kim Won Soo, the GOS agreed to resolve all outstanding issues with UNAMID deployment by 12 December, including the SOFA, land for bases, night flights, equipment seizures, visas, etc. The Sudanese also agreed to provide a response to the UN-AU TCC list. Kim predicted that the GOS would accept the Thai and Nepalese units, but would reject the Nordic unit. A UNAMID-GOS meeting took place 11 December in Khartoum to finalize agreement on the remaining deployment issues and is apparently on-going, as not all issues have been resolved as of 12 December. Kim also reported on the negative replies to SYG Ban's request for helicopters. Kim offered the idea of accepting the Jordanian offer of pilots and equipping them with appropriate aviation assets from a third country. DPKO had rejected Jordan's offer only because Jordan's helicopters do not have the right capabilities. Jordan, however, does have pilots trained to fly U.S. helicopters. Kim asked if the U.S. could provide the appropriate aviation assets or if U.S.-model helicopters could be rented from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or elsewhere. USUN said it was highly unlikely that the U.S. would provide helicopters, but would forward the proposal to Washington. The Department is reviewing this request. ¶3. POINT-OF-CONTACT: Grace M. Kang, IO/PSC 202-736-7735. RICE